Lubricating apparatus



Nov. 10, 1936. ox 2,060,297

LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 10, 1936. A. P. FOX

LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed July 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE LUBRICATING APPARATUS Application July 26, 1935, Serial No. 33,204

8 Claims.

This invention relates to lubricating apparatus,

and with regard to certain more specific features,-

to hand lubricating apparatus for pumping lubricant directly from commercial containers at high pressure.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a two-nozzle, commercial container for lubricant which carries a follower (where necessary) and proper connections for attaching to a hand lubricant pump and to a follower-driving means; the provision of apparatus of the class described in which substantially ail of the lubricant can be removed from all containers, this being true of all grades of lubricant for which the various forms of the apparatus are adapted; the provision of apparatus of the class described which eliminates all paddling and/or other undesirable methods of transferring grease from a commercial container to the container ordinarily forming a part of the lubricant compressor; and the provision of apparatus of this class which is simple in form and operation, and which may be economically constructed. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated four of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. l is a side elevation showing one form of the apparatus, parts being broken away to show a section;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing another form of the apparatus, and showing in dotted lines the position of a follower when the container is full, and in solid lines the position of the follower when the container is empty;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a third form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing a fourth form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and,

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the grease gun" parts shown in side elevation in Fig. 1 and is also typical of the grease gun parts shown in elevation in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The class of lubricant hand compressor herein referred to is generally known as a "grease gun, and as shown particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings, comprises a barrel I in which reciprocatesa plunger 3, the latter passing rearwardly through a packed guide 5 and joining with a stem I which passes outwardly through a bushing 9 and to a. movable handle II. A stationary handle I3 pr0- vides a reaction point for the fingers 'of the operators hand which pushes the handle I I. A separatinsg spring I5 is used between the handles II and I The plunger 3 in its rearward position uncovers an inlet port I! and a charge at this time is drawn in by means of the closure of a check valve I9. This fills the cylinder I. Upon a forward stroke. of the plunger 3, the port I! is closed and the charge in the cylinder I is ejected through the valve I9 at the end of barrel I and through an outlet'nozzle 2|. The nozzle 2| is adapted to contact with lubricant receiving fittings. Grease guns of this class are adapted to deliver lubricant to receiving fittings at a pressure of the order of 10,000 lbs. per square inch or less.

Heretofore, the inlet I I has been placed in communication with a container which, though removable, forms part of the grease gun equipment provided to the user. This has resulted in the troublesome necessity of transferring lubricant from the commercial container to the costly permanent container for the gun. This resulted in the necessity of a messy operation and, even after having been performed, resulted in the entrapment of air and the like in the heavier lubricants. Furthermore, a piece of apparatus such as an automobile or the like requires various lubricants of different grades. It is impracticable to lubricate a few points with one lubricant, then empty the permanent container and refill with another lubricant, and so on; or, to carry a. plurality of the expensive permanent containers.

The present invention so adapts the light, inexpensive, commercial containers that they have a quick-detachable connection with the lubricant guns and are otherwise uniquely adapted to solve the problem above stated, as will be shown.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that there has been arranged an angular extension from the cylinder I formed as a hollow boss 23 provided at the inside of the hollow portion with a resilient washer 25 and with relatively coarse threads 21. A preferred type of thread is one by means of which a quickdetachable connection may be made, such as a standard round thread or the like.

Centrally threaded into the center of the hollow boss 23 is a suction tube 29 which is in communication with said inlet II. The parts thus far described in connection with Fig. 1 constitute a users grease gun which he permanently retains. It has no lubricant supply compartment.

To provide a lubricant supply compartment, a light, commercial container is made up of some material such as the so-called tin can is composed of. Ordinarily this comprises tinned sheet iron of thin gauge, or blued light gauge iron or the like. It comprises a cylindric side wall 3| to which is rolled, soldered, or otherwise attached an outlet head 33. The head 33 carries an outlet nozzle 35 threaded to cooperate with said threads 31 in the boss 23. The threads 35 on the nozzle 35 are adapted also to receive a threaded cap which closes the container prior to application to the grease gun. The cap being a known article, is not illustrated.

Likewise attached to the bottom of the cylinder 3| is a bottom closure 31 having a threaded nozzle 39 which receives a threaded cap 3| having a sealing gasket 43 therein.

The operation of this form of the invention consists in the lubricant refiner'filling the container 3i wth lubricant after one cap has been attached. After filling, the other cap is closed in position. The filled container is delivered to the customer who is provided with a grease gun carrying the suction tube 23. The customer unscrews the cap from the nozzle 35 and inserts the suction tube 39 into the container and screws the nozzle 35 into the hollow boss 23. The length of the suction tube 29 is such that the lower inlet end 45 thereof becomes positioned in the sump formed by the nozzle 39 and enclosing cap 3|.

It is to be understood that this form of the invention is for semi-fluid lubricant of the type which will, settle, or readily seek a level. This type of lubricant ordinarily requires no follower thereon to force it into a compressor. It has a tendency always to fiow to a low point in the container, and the sump formed by the nozzle 39 provides such low point so that the container 3| may be substantially completely emptied by the pumping action of the grease gun. The threaded cap II on the bottom is also available for access or drainage purposes.

When a customer has finished pumping out a can or container, he unscrews it and applies another one either with the same lubricant, or carrying another lubricant, or, he may make the removal before the can is empty and apply another full, or semi-full can, retaining the unscrewed one for future use, the same being closed.

It. is to be understood at this point that the containers are not large but are only of such a size that the operator can conveniently support with the hand that is operating the grease gun. For instance, a container carrying approximately a pound of grease or so is the best for easy hantion tube 25.

accuser 41 may be set in place on top oi-the lubricant and the head 33 then rolled or soldered in place.

The consumer receives the loaded container with the follower 41 in the dotted-line position (Fig. 2). In this form of the invention, the suction tube 29 is carried on a bushing 49, the latter being screwed into the hollow boss 23. This bushing anchors a compression spring 5| which is normally positioned in the solid lines of Fig. 2.

The follower 41 is provided with a central sleeve 53 which slidably accommodates the suc- The user of the container receives it and unscrews the cap from the nozzle 35. He then inserts the suction tube 29 through the opening in the nozzle 35, and through the opening determined by the sleeve 53. The sleeve 53 is long enough to provide a sliding, guiding fit on the tube 29, but will not admit the spring 5i. Hence, in the dotted-line position of follower 41, the said spring 5i will be compressed by the follower 41. This places a spring pressure on the follower to aid in'priming the gun. As shown in the drawings, sleeve 53 extends downwardly and in its final position has its inlet in the sump 39. Hence, as in the first form of the invention shown in Figure 1, substantially all of the lubricant may be pumped out of the container.

In both forms of Figs. 1 and 2, at numeral 2 is shown a suitable vent for admitting atmospheric pressure above the lubricant during a pumping operation.

In Fig. 3 is shown another form of the invention for use with still more heavy lubricant. In this form, there is again utilized a follower 55 which is housed within the container when it is filled with lubricant at the refinery. This follower 55 carries a socket 51 for receiving a round nose 55 formed at the end of a screw 5|, the latter carrying at its end a handle 53 and being threaded through a bushing 55. The bushing 55 is threadable on the lower nozzle 39 after removal of the cap therefrom.

In this form of the invention, the follower 55 fits the container sufliciently loosely that when it is placed therein it drops to the bottom, and

when lubricant is then poured in at the refinery it builds up on top of the follower as shown. In this form of the invention, the grease gun does not carry a suction tube.

In operation, the user receives a can with both caps thereon and the follower 55 in the position as shown in Fig. 3. He removes both caps, and screws the grease gun on the nozzle 35. The bushing 55 he screws on the nozzle 39 with the threaded rod 5| retracted. This positions the nose 59 in the socket 51 of the follower 55. Then, by twisting the handle 53 from time to time, a proper prime may be maintained on the grease pump for effectively pumping the relatively heavy greases for which this modification is adapted. when the can is exhausted, the gun and the bushing 65 are removed, and these are applied to a fresh, filled can after retraction of the screw Si in the bushing 65.

In Fig. 4 is shown the fourth modification" in which the same type of can and follower as shown in Fig. 3 are used; also the same type of tubeless grease gun. However, the lower bushing is modified and comprises a member 61 having a socket 95 therein for accommodating a compressed spring H. slidable through the member 61 is a control stem 13 carrying a control handle 15. The stem 13 passes through said spring H and to a round nose 1'! engageable with said socket 51 of the follower 55. The spring H reacts between a flange 18 and a pin 8| placed through the rod 13 just below the nose 11. A fixed tube 88 in bushing 81 carries oppositely located bayonet slots 85 for engagement with said pin 8|.

In this form of the invention, prior to application of the bushing 81, the stem I3 is drawn back so that the pin 8| moves into the bayonet slot 8!. The stem 18 is then given a slight twist from the handle 15 and the pin is made to rest in the notches 84 of the bayonet slots 85, thereby maintaining the spring 11 in compression within the socket 69. After removal of the cap from the lower nozzle 89 of the can, the bushing 61 may then be applied. The result is as shown in Figure 4. Then, by reversely twisting the handle 15, the pin 8| is removed from the notches 84 in the bayonet slots 85, whereupon the spring 'H comes into play to push the nose II forward against the follower 55. This form of the invention has the advantage over that shown in Figure 3 in providing a continuous pressure on the grease for a continuous priming of the grease gun.

In both forms of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, if an obstruction occurs, such as a dent in the side of the can or container, the follower may be manually forced past the same. In the Fig. 3 form of the invention, the screw threads provide the necessary means for applying the manual force, and in the Fig. 4 form, a blow on the handle 15 may accomplish the purpose.

It is to be understood that if a customer has a grease gun of the form shown in Fig. 2, carrying a suction tube 29 with a spring 5| surroundingit, that the same may be used with the can or container shown in Figure 1, or with the can shown in Figure 2, the latter carrying the follower 41. Also, the grease gun of either Figs. 3 and 4 may be used interchangeably on the cans shown in these figures, and the follower-actuating mechanisms may be interchanged.

Having all of the cans with the same outlet nozzle permits of merchandising special automotive lubricants in one-pound containers of which there are now approximately six, with at least one, and at most, two pumping heads in the event that a light grease is required.

It is to be understood that the follower 41 may be used in the container of Fig. 1, in which case the spring 5| will not be used. This construction would have use in certain intermediate consistencies of lubricant where a compression spring is not necessary but where a follower would be desirable. In this case, the atmospheric pressure flowing in through the vent 2, would force the follower against the upper surface of the lubricant.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Lubricating apparatus comprising a compressor having a suction inlet, a commercial conassociated with said bushing cooperable with said follower when the bushing is applied to the inlet whereby force may be applied to said follower, said forcing means comprising a stem slidable through said bushing and contacting with said follower, a spring reacting between the bushing and stem to force the latter against said follower, and a quick-detachable connecting means between the stem and the bushing in retracted position of the stem, whereby upon removal of the bushing from the container, said spring may be maintained in compressed position and when the bushing is applied to the container be released to cause pressure against said follower.

2. A commercial container for use with lubricant compressors comprising a nozzle at one end of the container, said nozzle being threadable with the inlet of a compressor, a threaded opening at the other end of the container, a bushiim cooperable with said threaded opening, a follower in the container, 9. pressure means carried by the bushing cooperable with said follower, spring means normally forcing said pressure means against the follower and quick-detachable means between the follower and bushing adapted to hold the follower retracted against the action of said spring means.

3. Lubricating apparatus comprising a hand compressor having an inlet, a light-weight, commercially pre-fllled container, a detachable connection between the container at one end and said compressor, the other end of said container having an opening, a follower in the container between the lubricant there ard said opening, and quick-detachable means stening to said opening including pressure means cooperable interiorly with said follower and means for temporarily preventing pressure cooperation between the pressure means and the follower while an attachment is being made.

4. Lubricating apparatus comprising a hand compressor having an inlet, a light-weight, commercially pre-filled container, a detachable connection between the container at one end and said compressor, the other end of said container having an opening, a follower in the container between the lubricant therein and said opening, and quick-detachable means fastening to said opening including pressure means cooperable interiorly with said follower and means for temporarily preventing pressure cooperation between the pressure means and the follower while an attachment is being made, the pressure means and quick detachable means being separable as a unit under conditions of non-cooperation with said follower.

5. Lubricating apparatus comprising a compressor having an inlet, a commercially pre-filled container having two fixed and totally enclosing ends adapted to be opened, the opening at one end having a quick-detachable connecting means with said compressor, a follower in the container adjacent the other end for forcing lubricant toward said outlet, attachable means having a quick-detachable connection adjacent to the opening at the other end, and means articulated to said last-named means adapted by predetermined movement thereof with respect to said attaching means to be forced through said entry opening and against said follower.

6. Lubricating apparatus comprising a compressor having an inlet, a commercially pre-filled container having two enclosing ends, an outlet opening at one end having quick-detachable connecting means with said compressor, a follower in the container adjacent the other end for forcing lubricant toward said outlet, said other end having an entry opening, attaching means having a quick-detachable connection relative to said entry opening, means articulated to said attaching means adapted by predetermined movement thereof with respect to said attaching means to be forced through said entry opening and against said follower but adapted not to be so forced during application of said attaching means.

7. Lubricating apparatus comprising a compressor having a suction inlet, a container for lubricant having an outlet at one end, a threaded connection between said outlet and the container and the inlet of the compressor, a closure at the other end of the container having an opening, a separate bushing, a threaded connection between said bushing and said last-named opening, a follower in the container adjacent said closure, a. forcing means comprising a stem slidable through said bushing and contacting with said follower, a spring reacting between the bushing and stem to force the latter against the follower, and a bayonet connecting means between the stem and the bushing in retracted position of the stem, whereby upon removal of the bushing from the container, said spring may be maintained in compressed position.

8. Lubricating apparatus comprising a compressor having a suction inlet, a container for lubricant having an outlet at one end, a threaded connection between said outlet and the inlet of the compressor, a closure at the other end of the container having an opening, a bushing, a threaded connection between said bushing and said lastnamed opening, a follower in the container located adjacent said closure, and a stem threaded through said bushing and cooperable with said follower when the bushing is applied to the inlet whereby force may be applied to the follower by rotating the stem.

ALEXANDER P. FOX. 

